title: Postmortem radiography of gastromalacia: case reports.
abstract: Gastromalacia is a postmortem artifact resulting from autolysis of the gastric walls. Gastromalacia is autolytic rupture of the stomach caused by endogenous enzymes, and it is devoid of any vital reactions. The left leaf of the diaphragm is occasionally perforated by a ragged fenestration, with escape of gastric contents into the pleural cavity. This rupture may lead to pneumoperitoneum or pneumothorax. For diagnostic radiologists, gastromalacia is rarely encountered. Therefore, they should be aware of this entity to avoid misdiagnosis when performing postmortem radiography.
authors.forename: Akihito
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Usui
authors.forename: Yusuke
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kawasumi
authors.forename: Yoshiyuki
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hosokai
authors.forename: Yoshie
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hayashizaki
authors.forename: Haruo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Saito
authors.forename: Masato
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Funayama
mesh_terms: D001329:Autolysis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000201:enzymology; D001344:Autopsy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005554:Forensic Medicine / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011180:Postmortem Changes; D012422:Rupture, Spontaneous / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013270:Stomach / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000201:enzymology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods